Arresting gear for seaplanes



ugo 9, 1949. F. J. WALTERS ET AL 2,473,217

ARRESTING GEAR FOR SEA PLANES Filed Nov. 30, 1945 lnvenfors I FRANK J. WALTERS HOMER B. NELSON By l A Nor/1 ey talented Aug. 9, 1.949

ARRESTING GEAR FOR SEAPLANES Frank J. Walters and Homer B. Nelson, United States Navy Application November 30, 1945, Serial No. 632,092

(Granted under the act of March 3, 1883, as amended April 30, 1928; 370 0. G. 757) 2 Claims.

This invention pertains to an arresting gear especially adapted to check the forward speed of a seaplane on approaching a beach preparatory to docking.

An object of this invention is to provide a system of buoys so arranged as to maintain a line or plurality of lines in taut condition so that a seaplane approaching the beach for docking can drop a hook to engage a line and have its forward motion retarded and checked.

Details of the invention are described in connection with the followin drawings in which:

Figure 1 is a plan view of a preferred arrangement.

Figure 2 is an elevation showing the arrangement of buoys on a single line.

Figure 3 is a section of a concrete anchor block and swivel sheave connection.

In the drawings, Figure 1 shows a system of drag lines or cables I, 2, 3, and 4' secured to slip ring 5 and radiating outwardly therefrom to form any desired configuration. In the arrangement shown the lines form a cross. However, the arrangement forms no part of the present invention. One or several lines may be used and each should be of sufficient length so that it can be conveniently engaged by a seaplane approaching the beach for docking. The seaplane may drag a suitable hook from its tail or the hook may be attached to a line shot from the plane by a line throwing gun.

The outer end of each of the lines is attached to ring 6 and is maintained a predetermined distance below the surface of the water by means of an anchor and system of buoys. Adequate tension is exerted to maintain the line in taut condition at all times, and at a suflicient distance below the surface of the water to clear the hull of an approaching seaplane.

The system of buoys at the outer end of each drag line consists of buoys I and 8 secured to ring 6 by means of lines 9 and I0 respectively. It will be noted that line ID extends under sheave ll secured to anchor block l2, so that movement of the two buoys relative to each other can take place.

Buoys l and 8 may be of any conventional design. As shown, buoy 'l is provided with peripheral pneumatic tubes l3 and M to obtain increased buoyancy. Buoy 1 acts as a drag buoy to support the load of the main drag line and should possess sufficient buoyancy to support the line at a predetermined depth below the surface of the water. Buoy 8, because of static inertia, buoyancy, and fluid friction acts as a retarding buoy and exerts a tensioning force on line It). Due to buoyancy requirements, buoy I should be of larger diameter than buoy 8.

Anchor block l2, preferably of concrete, supports sheave I I as shown in Figure 3. Tube or pipe [3 is embedded in block I2 and is supported in position by plates M and I5 reinforced by gussets l6. Sheave support I! is provided with shoulder 2i resting on sleeve l3 and trunnion bearing l8 pivoted in tube l3. The assembly is secured by means of bolt 19 and nuts 20. It will be apparent that the mounting is such as to form a swivel for sheave ll, so that rotation of the sheave about bolt l9 can take place.

The invention described herein may be manufactured and used by or for the Government of the United States of America for governmental purposes without the payment of any royalties thereon or therefor.

Having described our invention, we claim:

1. In an arresting gear for seaplanes a plurality of drag lines connected at one end and a support for the free end of each line comprising a drag buoy and retarding buoy, an anchor unit, a fitting on said anchor unit, and a line connecting said drag buoy and retarding buoy and extending through said fitting.

2. In an arresting gear for seaplanes a plurality of drag lines connected at one end and a support for the free end of each line comprising a drag buoy for supporting said free end at a predetermined level, an anchor unit, a swivel mounted sheave on said anchor unit, and a line extending from said first mentioned line under said sheave and connected to a retardin buoy whereby said drag line is tensioned.

FRANK J. WALTERS. HOMER B. NELSON.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 1,772,861 Ellingson Aug. 12, 1930 2,411,382 Martin Nov. 19, 1946 FOREIGN PATENTS Number Country Date 184,424 Great Britain Aug. 1'7, 1922 

